St. Thérèse of Lisieux as Patroness of Missions

Dámaso Zuazua, OCD, General Secretary of Missions for the Discalced Carmelite Order,  has written article on the "Eightieth Anniversary of St. Thérèse as Patroness of Missions" (December 14, 1927 to December 14, 2007), posted on the Curia O.C.D. website.  The article recognizes the 80th anniversary of a decree of Pope Pius XI naming St. Thérèse of Lisieux as a patroness for men and  women missionaries, together with St. Francis Xavier.  He considers the question, “Does not this very fact of the two patrons put together have a message to us today?”

Father Zuazua discusses St. Thérèse's understanding of her contemplative missionary vocation.  In so doing, he addresses Church documents about the nature of missions today, including the writings of Popes Paul VI and John Paul II and the definition of missionary activity from Vatican II: “The special end of this missionary activity is the evangelization and the implantation of the Church among peoples or groups in which it has not yet taken root.”  He also discussed the missionary spirit of late 19th century France, St. Teresa of Avila's understanding of missionary vocation, and other influences on the missionary awareness of St. Thérèse. 

Honoring the 80th anniversary of the decree making her patroness of missions, Father Zauzua's article also provides an example through her of the missionary aspect of Carmelite spirituality today.